Expert Advocates Introduction Of Drug Policy In Schools

The introduction of drug policy in schools has been advocated,as a means of puttinga haltto the increasingmenace of drug abuse and addiction.

An expert, DrHasheemSaidu of Health and HappinessFoundation, Kaduna advocatedthis while deliveringa lecture over the weekend at the TEWORH Sports and Skills Centre For Fighting Drugs Abuse multi events,held at the Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna.

He saidthat drug policyis expected to checkabuse of not just illicit drugs, but even thoseprescribedto treat ailmentslike malariaor headaches.

“How manyschoolshave drug policies?No childshould be allowedto take any kind of drugs, not even paracetamol, within any schoolpremiseswithout supervisionof staff nurses or their teachers, “ he stressed.

He explained that drug abusestarts whenyou start taking even prescribeddrugswrongly.

“Parentsshouldalsoletthe schoolknow when theirchildrenor wardsare goingto schoolwith prescribeddrugs and the timethey are to be administered. This should check abuse of drugs,notjust illicit drugs,” he said.

Speaking further, while highlighting riskfactors that contributeto drug addiction,he said that parents should createbonds with their children.

“Preventing drug abuse starts from the home. Anxiety can lead to depression and drug addiction. When your children don’tfeel free to sharewhat they arefeeling with familyteam,they end up seeking advice elsewhere.If they fall into wronghands,they may be introducedto drug as a temporaryescapefrom anxiety,” he said.

Chairman/CEO of TEWORHSports and Skills Centre,SurajOla Abdulwahabin an interviewwith newsmen,explainedthat the fight against drug abuse required all hands to be on deck for it to be successful.